INDIANAPOLIS—The New York Giants’ front four, including defensive ends Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul, have been headliners in the week leading up to Super Bowl XLVI. But while they helped the Giants tie for third in the NFL with 48 sacks during the regular season, the New England Patriots weren’t too bad at pressuring quarterbacks from the edge.

Although their most productive pass rusher, Pro Bowl end Andre Carter, was lost for the season because of a quad injury in Dec. 18's game at Denver, the Patriots have many players who can get to Eli Manning. One is end Mark Anderson, who regained the pop he once showed with the Chicago Bears.

Anderson matched Carter's total of 10 sacks.

“When we lost Andre, a very important leader on our team, me, personally, knew it was time to step up,” Anderson said. “It was the reason they brought me here.”

In addition to Anderson, outside linebacker Rob Ninkovich is a vital pass rusher. Then there’s tackle Vince Wilfork, who had 3 1/2 sacks in the regular season but has 2 1/2 in the team’s two playoff games.

The Pats finished the season with 40 sacks, good for 14th in the NFL.

As long the Patriots get someone in Manning’s face on Sunday, Anderson doesn’t care if it’s him.

“His will is at an all-time high right now,” Anderson said of Manning. “You can tell how really bad he wants it.”

If the Patriots want to win the game, Anderson his teammates must match their drive in getting after the Giants’ quarterback.